Sensor detects absolute pressure

Tokyo, Japan  Alps Electric has developed a capacitance-type pressure sensor in a 4.8 x 4.8 x 1.8-mm footprint to detect absolute pressure. Key applications for the HSPC series sensors include pressure detection in tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), and other air and blood pressure monitors.

The HSPC sensors detect air, blood and other pressures by means of changes in capacitance. The measurable pressure range is 100 kPa to 500 kPa. Since a capacitance-type pressure sensor is generally characterized by high sensitivity and low current consumption, pressure detection systems that use this product will reduce their current consumption to microampere levels, said Alps.

The ceramic packaging of the HSPC series can withstand changes in temperature, including the volatile temperature changes in the automotive environment, and can operate over a wide temperature range from -40° to 125°C.